‘A hub for trafficking and transport’

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human services, human trafficking is tied with arms dealing as the second largest criminal industry in the world, generating around $32 billion each year.

Human trafficking is the action or practice of illegally transporting people from one area to another, typically for the purposes of forced labor or sexual exploitation. While this is a worldwide issue, the situation in the U.S. has become more visible in recent years, with 10,949 cases being reported nationwide in 2018, a 25% increase from 2017.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Iowa had 103 cases reported in 2018, with a total of 289 contacts referring to Iowa in regards to human trafficking.

Trafficking in Iowa

Despite being a state with lower population and fewer urban areas, Iowa has been identified as a hot spot for trafficking activity, with experts stating that the junction of Interstate 35 and Interstate 80 provides easy transportation to traffickers. Additionally, notable attractions in Des Moines near those interstates provide opportunity for traffickers to find potential targets.

Knowing this, individuals and organizations across Iowa have been working to address the problem on a wide scale. One of these individuals is Angela Kenyon Davis, a Creston native who is the founder and CEO of AKD Legal Consulting in Des Moines.

“While this may not seem like an obvious issue in the state of Iowa, it is pretty pervasive,” said Davis.

Davis is one of the founding members of the Human Trafficking Coalition of Iowa. She began this endeavor in 2019 by volunteering with the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking in advisory capacity on legislative and advocacy issues.

“My profession is a government relations attorney, so my specialty is helping people figure out how to change systems through the state,” said Davis.

After her time with INAHT, Davis said she began to realize how widespread and complex the problem of human trafficking truly is, and began to reach out to other human trafficking prevention organizations.

“I wanted to see if they would like to form a coalition where we could help each other move forward and try to apply for some funding to put together some larger scale initiatives,” said Davis.

The initiatives are designed after members of the coalition speak to the different organizations and survivor rehabilitation facilities, as well as research of national trends and initiatives.

“This allows me to make creative suggestions about different approaches we can make from a legal or legislative standpoint to help be more effective in stopping the cycle of trafficking,” said Davis.

Survivor rehabilitation is considered to be one of the most important aspects of the current situation, with facilities in Iowa such as Dorothy’s House, a long-term residential home that provides survivors with space, resources and support, or the Youth Emergency Services & Shelter, which provides temporary housing for displaced minors.

“Often, someone who has been trafficked has undergone a lot of trauma,” said Davis. “They may have been out of society or not developed the skills to function in society, and they need additional support and guidance through some of those things. Especially if any of those victims were minors initially.”

Successful legislation

Throughout their first year, the Human Trafficking Coalition of Iowa has worked on a piece of legislation to require motel and hotel staff to receive training in human trafficking prevention, which was signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds June 29 after it passed with unanimous support from the state House and Senate.

“We are the first state in the country to pass a bill like this,” said Davis.

Davis said approximately 70% of human trafficking related crime takes place in hotels and motels. Under this new law, any of these facilities that fail to provide this training cannot accept public funds for stays, events or state-related functions.

“This training will help hotels and motels to identify the signs of trafficking and know how to communicate those suspicions to law enforcement,” said Davis. “If the employees are trained to be more aware, then they will know better in what to do.”

Davis said the law has garnered the interest of an international group called Hope For Justice, a global network that specializes in human trafficking prevention and interception. Hope For Justice is now in the process of setting up an initiative in Iowa, thus increasing the resources the state has in combating the issue.

“We’re very excited at the success we have had with this small step, and it is encouraging us to continue to work,” said Davis.

As far as trafficking goes, Davis said those involved don’t seem to discriminate in who they target.

“It affects people in rural communities who are in the wrong place at the wrong time, it can affect immigrants that are illegally brought into the state to be trafficked,” said Davis.

The road ahead

With the lodging bill signed, the Human Trafficking Coalition of Iowa intends to begin meeting with its members next week to prepare future endeavors.

“We do a lot of work planning for the legislative session during the summer,” said Davis.

One of the big goals for the group is to work with law enforcement, state prosecutors and survivor services to look at the human trafficking issue comprehensively.

“We need to identify where we need additional funding resources, or where we need systems that are more effective,” said Davis.

Davis said there is a wide variety of things the average citizen can do to make a difference on the issue, such as the annual Break the Cycle 200 bike ride fundraiser, free human trafficking prevention training or by simply educating themselves on the issue.

“You could also donate to a variety of causes,” said Davis. “(Rehabilitation services) are always looking for funding, as well as additional support in the community.”

To report a tip or request services, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline, toll-free, at 1-888-373-7888. For victim services in Iowa, contact the Iowa Helpline at 1-800-770-1650, or text “IOWAHELP” to 20121.